Boils are a type of deep skin infection in which hair follicles or oil glands get infected. At the beginning, the skin of the infected area turns hard and red and gradually within a week pus-filled tender, large and very painful lumps develop. Boils usually appear on face, neck, shoulder, armpit and buttocks. Boils are usually caused by staphylococcal bacteria which enters the body through small cuts or through hair follicles.
People become more vulnerable to boils when they do not maintain proper hygiene, expose their bodies to harsh chemicals, lack proper nutrition and have compromised and suppressed immune system or have diabetes.
Most boils can effectively be cured with home treatment. There is no need to resort to antibiotics unless you have high fever or chills along with serious infection.
Home Remedies For Skin Boils
Warm Compressor
Applying warm compress three four times a day will help to reduce the pain and swelling and bring the pus to the surface and promote easy drainage. With repeated compress using warm water, the boil will burst out. Use cotton or warm wash cloth for warm compress after dipping and squeezing the extra water from the cloth.
The moment the boil starts draining, clean the infected areawith antibacterial soap till no pus is left. After cleaning the area thoroughly, apply antibiotic ointment and cover the infected area with bandage. Regularly use warm compress and clean the area and change the bandage until the abscess heals completely. Do not pierce any object to drain the pus. It can worsen the infection.
Turmeric
Turmeric which has anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties can help in speedy healing of boils. Turmeric can be taken internally or can be applied on the boils directly. Take few fresh dry roots of turmeric, roast them thoroughly till they turn into ashes; dissolve the ashes in a cup of water and apply over the infected area.
This will help to ripen the boil and burst. For quick healing of boils, add a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of warm water and drink 2-3 times a day. Alternatively, make a paste of turmeric powder and apply directly on the boil and cover it with a bandage. Turmeric capsules are also available in the market which can aid in healing of the abscess.
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Garlic Or Onion Juice
Among several other home remedies, garlic or onion juice is a proven remedy for ripening and draining the pus quickly. Apply either of the juice or mix both onion and garlic juice in equal proportions directly on the infected area. Both contain anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which help in speedy healing.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil which has natural antiseptic properties can also aid in treating the boils. After cleaning the boil thoroughly, apply just a drop of tea tree oil on the affected area. This will prevent the infection from spreading.
A hot Epsom salt bath is very beneficial for treating the boils. Keep on taking hot Epsom salt bath till the boils do not go away completely.
Another effective remedy for treating boils is to make a paste with 1 teaspoon vinegar and 1 teaspoon milk cream and add a pinch of turmeric powder to this paste. Applying this paste on the boil will ripen it and guard the boil from becoming septic.
Diet
Maintain overall healthy diet to boost the immune system so that it can fight infection. Restrict yourself from eating sugary foods and refined carbohydrates. Juice and fruit diets are recommended for cleansing the system.
Preventing Boils
Practice good personal hygiene and do not neglect in treating even minor wounds.
